Todd: OK. So what, why did you stop drinking? Why do you think it's better not to drink any alcohol?

Al:I don't, I mean, I'm not against drinking the way I am against smoking. I knew that for me it was the best thing to do because drinking is getting in the way of other things I wanted to do with my life.

Todd: Right.

Al: So, and I didn't really, I drank a lot and I didn't enjoy it anymore.

Todd: Yeah.

Al: That was the thing.

Todd: Actually, I have to feel a little bit the same way. I'm a social drinker. I only drink when I'm with friends and I really don't like drinking because I don't like how it makes me feel afterwards, like if I have a glass of wine or beer, I can't work afterwards and that bothers me but its nice to have a glass of wine with a good meal.

Al: It is. Yes. There are things I miss about it but there are so many other good things that I've got from not drinking so I look at the balance and the sacrifice and for me it's worth it, not to drink. I can give up a glass of wine with dinner if get the other things I've got from it, so.

Todd: Well, do you feel healthier? Does you body feel better?

Al: I feel much healthier. I feel much more focused. My thinking is much clearer, and I like, I still go to bars and hang out with people and they drink and I don't and I go home, I love leaving a bar when I'm still sober. I love that feeling. I don't know why it's a fantastic feeling.

Todd: Well, sounds like something maybe I should consider.
Thanks Al

Learn Vocabulary from the lesson

all or nothing

I can't have a little bit. It's all or nothing for me.

To be 'all or nothing' something means you either restrain
yourself completely or you lose control. Talking about
drinking, you either have nothing or drink a whole
bottle. Notice the following:

She is very all or nothing about exercise.

You need to learn to be more moderate about your
habits. Life isn't all or nothing.

get in the way

Drinking is getting in the way of other things I wanted to
do with my life.

Something that 'gets in the way' prevents you from doing
something else. Notice the following:

His relationships always got in the way of his
friendships.

Her career got in the way of having children.

bothers me

I can't work afterward and that bothers me.

If there is something that 'bothers you,' it frustrates you
or makes you angry. You don't like it. Notice
the following:

When you come home really late and wake me up, that
bothers me.

I can't talk to you whenever I want and that bothers me.

sacrifice

I look at the balance and the sacrifice and for me it's
worth it.

A 'sacrifice' is something that you give up to get
something else. Notice the following:

If you want to have a successful professional life,
sometimes you have to sacrifice your personal life.

He is always making sacrifices for his daughters.

sober

I love leaving a bar when I'm still sober.

If you have had very little or nothing to drink than you
are 'sober.' The opposite is intoxicated or, more
commonly, drunk. Notice the following:

I'm not drinking because I'm the sober driver tonight.

She decided to stay sober at the party and actually had
a good time.

Answer these questions about the interview.

Keep Listening

Here are some more great lessons!

Vocabulary Challenge

Complete the sentences with the words below.

nothing • the way • bothers
sacrifices • sober

It
me that he doesn't
look me in the eye when he talks.

As a parent, you will make many
for your children.

It felt like everything is getting in
of my plan to work out today.

He has an all or
personality. Either he sits around and does nothing, or
he so busy he doesn't sleep.

I prefer to go to concerts when I'm
, because then I can remember everything.